Latest News

• Novocure Announces Topline Data from the Phase 3 TRIDENT Trial Evaluating Earlier Use of Tumor Treating Fields Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma        

  The Phase 3 TRIDENT trial enrolled 981 newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) patients to evaluate whether starting Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) during radiation and temozolomide treatment could improve survival compared with the current approach of starting TTFields after chemoradiation is completed.

  The trial did not meet its primary endpoint, with median overall survival of 17.7 months in the early-start group versus 17.5 months in the standard group. However, these results should not be interpreted as a negative study for TTFields itself. Both groups received TTFields; the question being tested was whether starting treatment earlier would provide additional benefit.

  One encouraging finding was the long-term survival tail in both groups. Three-year survival rates were 22.5% in the early-start arm and 18.4% in the standard-start arm, which compares favorably with historical outcomes for newly diagnosed GBM. 

  While earlier initiation did not significantly improve overall survival in the overall study population, additional analyses may identify patient subgroups that derive greater benefit from earlier treatment. Novocure has not yet released detailed compliance (usage) data, which may provide additional insights when the full results are presented at the ASTRO 2026 Annual Meeting.

  
  
• College Scholarship for Brain Cancer Families        

  Do you know a college student (ages 18–23) whose parent has been diagnosed with or passed away from a primary brain tumor? Our friends at the George Bartol Memorial Scholarship Fund are once again awarding scholarships to students across the United States impacted by a parent’s brain cancer diagnosis.

  Eligibility:
  - Full-time student at a 2- or 4-year college/university
  -Minimum 2.5 GPA
  -Ages 18–23

  Applications are due by October 1, 2026! To request an application, please message the George Bartol Memorial Scholarship Fund on Facebook! 

  
  
• The Strong Helping Hand of Cancer Commons        

   As a friendly reminder, brain tumor patients and caregivers can receive free one-on-one navigation support through the Brain Cancer Support & Solutions Alliance (BCSSA), a program jointly funded by Cancer Commons, Head for the Cure, and the Musella Foundation. You can enroll at diagnosis, recurrence, or anytime in between. We know how difficult the brain tumor journey can be, and we're here to help. To learn more or register, click HERE. 

  
  
• Childhood mRNA Cancer Vaccine Reduces Tumors by 70%        

  Researchers in Ireland have reported the first preclinical study of an mRNA vaccine designed specifically to treat neuroblastoma, one of the deadliest childhood cancers.

  This vaccine is designed to target Glypican-2 (GPC2), a protein found at high levels on many neuroblastoma cells and also expressed in medulloblastoma and certain other high-grade gliomas. Instead of using traditional lipid nanoparticles for the vaccine, they employed tiny self-assembling peptide nanoparticles called RALA to deliver the mRNA instructions to the immune system.

  The vaccine successfully stimulated a strong anti-tumor immune response in lab models, increasing production of several immune signaling molecules, including IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α. In mice with aggressive MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma, the vaccine delayed tumor growth by roughly 10-11 days and reduced tumor volume by ~70% compared with untreated animals.
  
  These results are preclinical, and significant additional work will be needed before human trials can test the safety and efficacy of this vaccine. Nevertheless, we will keep an eye on this promising research.

  
  
• GT-20 Trial: Personalized Neoantigen Vaccines for Glioblastoma        

  This Phase 1 GT-20 trial tested a personalized DNA neoantigen vaccine in 9 patients with newly diagnosed MGMT-unmethylated glioblastoma (GBM). Unlike other neoantigen vaccine approaches, GT-20 sequenced multiple regions of each tumor rather than just one and incorporated up to 40 patient-specific neoantigens into each vaccine.

  The vaccine was generally well tolerated and generated measurable immune responses in six of seven evaluable patients, with evidence that vaccine-induced T cells entered the tumor microenvironment. The study was not designed to evaluate efficacy, but investigators reported a median overall survival of 16.3 months and a two-year survival rate of 33%. Patients receiving dexamethasone had weaker immune responses, consistent with findings from other immunotherapy studies.

  While several neoantigen vaccine programs have successfully generated anti-tumor immune responses in GBM, the key question remains whether those responses can translate into meaningful clinical benefit, either alone or in combination with other therapies.